Apparatus and methods for radio frequency front end systems

ABSTRACT

A wireless device comprising a first antenna and second antenna, a transceiver and a radio frequency front end system electrically coupled between the transceiver and the antennas. The RF front end system includes a first module operable to provide a high band transmit signal to the first antenna, receive a first high band receive signal and a first mid band receive signal from the first antenna. The first high band receive signal has a frequency content greater than that of the first mid band receive signal. The RF front end system further includes a second module operable to provide a mid band transmit signal to the second antenna, receive a second mid band receive signal and a second high band receive signal from the second antenna. The second high band receive signal has a frequency content greater than that of the second mid band receive signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/476,102 filed Mar. 24, 2017, entitled APPARATUS AND METHODS FORRADIO FREQUENCY FRONT END SYSTEMS and to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/533,827 filed Jul. 18, 2017, entitled APPARATUS ANDMETHODS FOR RADIO FREQUENCY FRONT END SYSTEMS. The contents of each ofthe above-referenced applications are expressly incorporated byreference herein in their entireties for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Field

Embodiments of the invention relate to electronic systems, and inparticular, to radio frequency (RF) electronics.

Description of Related Art

A radio frequency (RF) device can include multiple antennas forsupporting communications. Additionally, the RF device can include aradio frequency front end (RFFE) system for processing signals receivedfrom and transmitted to the antennas. The RFFE system can provide anumber of functions, including, but not limited to, signal filtering,controlling component connectivity to the antennas, and/or signalamplificati

SUMMARY

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a wirelessdevice comprising a plurality of primary antennas including a firstantenna and second antenna, a transceiver and a radio frequency frontend system electrically coupled between the transceiver and theplurality of primary antennas. The radio frequency front end systemincludes a first transmit and receive module operable to provide a highband transmit signal to the first antenna and to receive a first highband receive signal and a first mid band receive signal from the firstantenna. The first high band receive signal may have a frequency contentthat is greater than a frequency content of the first mid band receivesignal. The radio frequency front end system may further include asecond transmit and receive module operable to provide a mid bandtransmit signal to the second antenna and to receive a second mid bandreceive signal and a second high band receive signal from the secondantenna. The second high band receive signal may have a frequencycontent that is greater than a frequency content of the second mid bandreceive signal.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a wirelessdevice comprising a plurality of primary antennas including a firstantenna and second antenna, a transceiver and a radio frequency frontend system electrically coupled between the transceiver and theplurality of primary antennas. The radio frequency front end systemincludes a first transmit and receive module operable to provide a highband transmit signal to the first antenna and to receive a first highband receive signal and a first mid band receive signal from the firstantenna. The first high band receive signal may have a frequency rangethat is greater than a frequency range of the first mid band receivesignal. The radio frequency front end system may further include asecond transmit and receive module operable to provide a mid bandtransmit signal to the second antenna and to receive a second mid bandreceive signal and a second high band receive signal from the secondantenna. The second high band receive signal may have a frequency rangethat is greater than a frequency range of the second mid band receivesignal.

In some embodiments, the first high band receive signal and the secondhigh band receive signal of the wireless device are operable to supportdownlink multi-input and multi-output communications. In someembodiments, the first mid band receive signal and the second mid bandreceive signal of the wireless device are operable to support downlinkmulti-input and multi-output communications.

In some embodiments, the first high band receive signal and the firstmid band receive signal of the wireless device are operable to supportcarrier aggregation. In some embodiments, the second mid band receivesignal and the second high band receive signal of the wireless deviceare operable to support carrier aggregation.

In some embodiments, the first transmit and receive module of thewireless device includes a first plurality of high band signal paths anda first plurality of mid band signal paths that are switch coupled tothe first antenna. In some embodiments, the second transmit and receivemodule of the wireless device includes a second plurality of high bandsignal paths and a second plurality of mid band signal paths that areswitch coupled to the second antenna.

In some embodiments, the first transmit and receive module of thewireless device is electrically coupled to the first antenna without anintervening frequency multiplexer. In some embodiments, the firsttransmit and receive module of the wireless device is electricallycoupled to the first antenna without an intervening multiband handlingelement.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system of thewireless device further includes a diplexer electrically coupled betweenthe second transmit and receive module and the second antenna.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system of thewireless device further includes a third transmit and receive moduleelectrically coupled to the second antenna via the diplexer, the thirdtransmit and receive module configured to provide a low band transmitsignal to the second antenna and to receive a low band receive signalfrom the second antenna.

In some embodiments, the plurality of primary antennas of the wirelessdevice further includes a third antenna. The radio frequency front endsystem may further include a third transmit and receive moduleconfigured to provide a low band transmit signal to the third antennaand to receive a low band receive signal from the third antenna. In someembodiments, a plurality of diversity antennas of the wireless deviceincludes a first diversity antenna and a second diversity antenna. Theradio frequency front end system may be electrically coupled between thetransceiver and the plurality of diversity antennas.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system of thewireless device further includes a first diversity module configured toreceive a first high band diversity receive signal and a first mid banddiversity receive signal from the first diversity antenna. In someembodiments, a second diversity module of the wireless device isconfigured to receive a second mid band diversity receive signal and asecond high band receive signal from the second diversity antenna.

In some embodiments, the first transmit and receive module of thewireless device includes a high band output switch configured to receivea plurality of high band diversity receive signals including the firsthigh band diversity receive signal and the second high band diversityreceive signal, the high band output switch further configured toprovide the transceiver with a selected high band diversity receivesignal. In some embodiments, the second transmit and receive module ofthe wireless device includes a mid band output switch configured toreceive a plurality of mid band diversity receive signals including thefirst mid band diversity receive signal and the second mid banddiversity receive signal, the mid band output switch further configuredto provide the transceiver with a selected mid band diversity receivesignal.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system of thewireless device is operable to support four-by-four receive multi-inputand multi-output communications.

In some embodiments, the frequency contents of the mid band transmitsignal, the first mid band receive signal, and the second mid bandreceive signal are between 1 GHz and 2.3 GHz, and the frequency contentsof the high band transmit signal, the first high band receive signal,and the second high band receive signal are greater than 2.3 GHz. Insome embodiments, the mid band transmit signal, the first mid bandreceive signal, and the second mid band receive signal have frequenciesbetween 1 GHz and 2.3 GHz, and the high band transmit signal, the firsthigh band receive signal, and the second high band receive signal havefrequencies greater than 2.3 GHz.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a method offront end signal processing in a wireless device. The method maycomprise providing a high band transmit signal to a first antenna usinga first transmit and receive module, and receiving a first high bandreceive signal and a first mid band receive signal from the firstantenna using the first transmit and receive module, the first high bandreceive signal having a frequency content that is greater than afrequency content of the first mid band receive signal. The method mayfurther include providing a mid band transmit signal to a second antennausing a second transmit and receive module, and receiving a second midband receive signal and a second high band receive signal from thesecond antenna using the second transmit and receive module, the secondhigh band receive signal having a frequency content that is greater thana frequency content of the second mid band receive signal.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a method offront end signal processing in a wireless device. The method maycomprise providing a high band transmit signal to a first antenna usinga first transmit and receive module, and receiving a first high bandreceive signal and a first mid band receive signal from the firstantenna using the first transmit and receive module, the first high bandreceive signal having a frequency range that is greater than a frequencyrange of the first mid band receive signal. The method may furtherinclude providing a mid band transmit signal to a second antenna using asecond transmit and receive module, and receiving a second mid bandreceive signal and a second high band receive signal from the secondantenna using the second transmit and receive module, the second highband receive signal having a frequency range that is greater than afrequency range of the second mid band receive signal.

In some implementations, the method further comprises providing downlinkmulti-input and multi-output communications using the first high bandreceive signal and the second high band receive signal. In someimplementations, the method further comprises providing downlinkmulti-input and multi-output communications using the first mid bandreceive signal and the second mid band receive signal.

In some implementations, the method further comprises providing carrieraggregation using the first high band receive signal and the first midband receive signal. In some implementations, the method furthercomprises providing carrier aggregation using the second mid bandreceive signal and the second high band receive signal.

In some implementations, the method further comprises providing a lowband transmit signal to the second antenna using a third transmit andreceive module, and receiving a low band receive signal from the secondantenna using the third transmit and receive module. In someimplementations, the method further comprises providing a low bandtransmit signal to a third antenna using a third transmit and receivemodule, and receiving a low band receive signal from the third antennausing the third transmit and receive module.

In some implementations, the method further comprises receiving a firsthigh band diversity receive signal and a first mid band diversityreceive signal from a first diversity antenna using a first diversitymodule. In some implementations, the method further comprises receivinga second high band diversity receive signal and a second mid banddiversity receive signal from a second diversity antenna using a seconddiversity module.

In some implementations, the method further comprises providing thefirst high band diversity receive signal from the first transmit andreceive module to the second transmit and receive module, and sending aselected high band diversity receive module to a transceiver, theselected high band diversity receive module chosen from a plurality ofhigh band diversity receive signals including the first high banddiversity receive signal and the second high band diversity receivesignal.

In some implementations, the method further comprises providing thesecond mid band diversity receive signal from the second transmit andreceive module to the first transmit and receive module, and sending aselected mid band diversity receive module to a transceiver, theselected mid band diversity receive module chosen from a plurality ofmid band diversity receive signals including the first mid banddiversity receive signal and the second mid band diversity receivesignal.

In some implementations, the method further comprises providingfour-by-four receive multi-input and multi-output communications usingthe first transmit and receive module, the second transmit and receivemodule, the first diversity module, and the second diversity module.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a radiofrequency front end system for a wireless device. The radio frequencyfront end system may comprise a first antenna terminal and a firsttransmit and receive module electrically coupled to the first antennaterminal. The first transmit and receive module may be operable toprovide a high band transmit signal to the first antenna terminal and toreceive a first high band receive signal and a first mid band receivesignal from the first antenna terminal. The first high band receivesignal may have a frequency content that is greater than a frequencycontent of the first mid band receive signal. The radio frequency frontend system may further comprise a second antenna terminal and a secondtransmit and receive module electrically coupled to the second antennaterminal. The second transmit and receive module may be operable toprovide a mid band transmit signal to the second antenna terminal and toreceive a second mid band receive signal and a second high band receivesignal from the second antenna terminal. The second high band receivesignal may have a frequency content that is greater than a frequencycontent of the second mid band receive signal.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a radiofrequency front end system for a wireless device. The radio frequencyfront end system may comprise a first antenna terminal and a firsttransmit and receive module electrically coupled to the first antennaterminal. The first transmit and receive module may be operable toprovide a high band transmit signal to the first antenna terminal and toreceive a first high band receive signal and a first mid band receivesignal from the first antenna terminal. The first high band receivesignal may have a frequency range that is greater than a frequency rangeof the first mid band receive signal. The radio frequency front endsystem may further comprise a second antenna terminal and a secondtransmit and receive module electrically coupled to the second antennaterminal. The second transmit and receive module may be operable toprovide a mid band transmit signal to the second antenna terminal and toreceive a second mid band receive signal and a second high band receivesignal from the second antenna terminal. The second high band receivesignal may have a frequency range that is greater than a frequency rangeof the second mid band receive signal.

In some embodiments, the first high band receive signal and the secondhigh band receive signal are operable to support downlink multi-inputand multi-output communications. In some embodiments, the first mid bandreceive signal and the second mid band receive signal are operable tosupport downlink multi-input and multi-output communications.

In some embodiments, the first high band receive signal and the firstmid band receive signal are operable to support carrier aggregation. Insome embodiments, the first mid band receive signal and the first highband receive signal are operable to support carrier aggregation.

In some embodiments, the first transmit and receive module iselectrically coupled to the first antenna terminal without anintervening frequency multiplexer. In some embodiments, the firsttransmit and receive module is electrically coupled to the first antennaterminal without an intervening multiband handling element.

In some embodiments, the first transmit and receive module includes afirst plurality of high band signal paths and a first plurality of midband signal paths that are switch coupled to the first antenna terminal.

In some embodiments, the second transmit and receive module includes asecond plurality of high band signal paths and a second plurality of midband signal paths that are switch coupled to the second antennaterminal.

In some embodiments, the second transmit and receive module iselectrically coupled to the second antenna terminal via a diplexer.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system furthercomprises a third transmit and receive module electrically coupled tothe second antenna terminal via the diplexer, the third transmit andreceive module configured to provide a low band transmit signal to thesecond antenna terminal and to receive a low band receive signal fromthe second antenna terminal.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system furthercomprises a first diversity antenna terminal and a first diversitymodule configured to receive a first high band diversity receive signaland a first mid band diversity receive signal from the first diversityantenna terminal.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system furthercomprises a second diversity antenna terminal and a second diversitymodule configured to receive a second mid band diversity receive signaland a second high band receive signal from the second diversity antennaterminal.

In some embodiments, the frequency contents of the mid band transmitsignal, the first mid band receive signal, and the second mid bandreceive signal of the radio frequency front end system are between 1 GHzand 2.3 GHz, and the frequency contents of the high band transmitsignal, the first high band receive signal, and the second high bandreceive signal are greater than 2.3 GHz. In some embodiments, the midband transmit signal, the first mid band receive signal, and the secondmid band receive signal of the radio frequency front end system havefrequencies between 1 GHz and 2.3 GHz, and the high band transmitsignal, the first high band receive signal, and the second high bandreceive signal have frequencies greater than 2.3 GHz.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a wirelessdevice comprising a first antenna and a first transmit and receivemodule operable to provide a high band transmit signal to the firstantenna and to receive a first high band receive signal and a first midband receive signal from the first antenna without an interveningmultiband handling element. The first high band receive signal may havea frequency range that is greater than a frequency range of the firstmid band receive signal. The wireless device may further comprise asecond antenna and a second transmit and receive module operable toprovide a mid band transmit signal to the second antenna and to receivea second mid band receive signal and a second high band receive signalfrom the second antenna. The second high band receive signal may have afrequency range that is greater than a frequency range of the second midband receive signal.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system of thewireless device further includes a diplexer electrically coupled betweenthe second transmit and receive module and the second antenna.

In some embodiments, the radio frequency front end system of thewireless device further includes a third transmit and receive moduleelectrically coupled to the second antenna via the diplexer, the thirdtransmit and receive module configured to provide a low band transmitsignal to the second antenna and to receive a low band receive signalfrom the second antenna.

In some embodiments, the first high band receive signal and the secondhigh band receive signal are operable to support downlink multi-inputand multi-output communications. In some embodiments, the first mid bandreceive signal and the second mid band receive signal are operable tosupport downlink multi-input and multi-output communications.

In some embodiments, the first high band receive signal and the firstmid band receive signal are operable to support carrier aggregation. Insome embodiments, the second mid band receive signal and the second highband receive signal are operable to support carrier aggregation.

In some embodiments, the first transmit and receive module of thewireless device includes a first plurality of high band signal paths anda first plurality of mid band signal paths that are switch coupled tothe first antenna. In some embodiments, the second transmit and receivemodule of the wireless device includes a second plurality of high bandsignal paths and a second plurality of mid band signal paths that areswitch coupled to the second antenna.

In some embodiments, the mid band transmit signal, the first mid bandreceive signal, and the second mid band receive signal have frequenciesbetween 1 GHz and 2.3 GHz, and the high band transmit signal, the firsthigh band receive signal, and the second high band receive signal havefrequencies greater than 2.3 GHz.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless device, according tosome embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a radio frequency (RF) system,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a radio frequency front end(RFFE) system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an RF system, according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of diversity modules for an RFFEsystem, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a low band diversity module,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of a packaged module, according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of the packaged moduleof FIG. 7A, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method of front end signal processing,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The headings provided herein, if any, are for convenience only and donot necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

The following detailed description of certain embodiments presentsvarious descriptions of specific embodiments. However, the innovationsdescribed herein can be embodied in a multitude of different ways, forexample, as defined and covered by the claims. In this description,reference is made to the drawings where like reference numerals canindicate identical or functionally similar elements. It will beunderstood that elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarilydrawn to scale. Moreover, it will be understood that certain embodimentscan include more elements than illustrated in a drawing and/or a subsetof the elements illustrated in a drawing. Further, some embodiments canincorporate any suitable combination of features from two or moredrawings.

A radio frequency (RF) device can include multiple antennas forsupporting communications. Additionally, the RF device can include aradio frequency front end (RFFE) system for processing signals receivedfrom and transmitted to the antennas. The RFFE system can provide anumber of functions, including, but not limited to, signal filtering,controlling component connectivity to the antennas, and/or signalamplification.

RFFE systems can be used to handle RF signals of a wide variety oftypes, including, but not limited to, wireless local area network (WLAN)signals, Bluetooth signals, and/or cellular signals. Additionally, RFFEsystems can be used to process signals of a wide range of frequencies.For example, certain RFFE systems can operate using one or more lowbands (for example, RF signal bands having a frequency of 1 GHz orless), one or more mid bands (for example, RF signal bands having afrequency between 1 GHz and 2.3 GHz), and one or more high bands (forexample, RF signal bands having a frequency greater than 2.3 GHz). RFFEsystems can be used in a wide variety of RF devices, including, but notlimited to, smartphones, base stations, laptops, handsets, wearableelectronics, and/or tablets.

An RFFE can be implemented to support a variety of features that enhancebandwidth and/or other performance characteristics of an RF device.

In one example, an RFFE system is implemented to support carrieraggregation, thereby providing flexibility to increase peak data rates.Carrier aggregation can be used for both Frequency Division Duplexing(FDD) and Time Division Duplexing (TDD), and may be used to aggregate aplurality of carriers or channels, for instance up to five carriers.Carrier aggregation includes contiguous aggregation, in which contiguouscarriers within the same operating frequency band are aggregated.Carrier aggregation can also be non-contiguous, and can include carriersseparated in frequency within a common band or in different bands.

In another example, an RFFE system is implemented to support multi-inputand multi-output (MIMO) communications to increase throughput andenhance mobile broadband service. MIMO communications use multipleantennas for communicating multiple data streams over a single radiofrequency channel. MIMO communications benefit from higher signal tonoise ratio, improved coding, and/or reduced signal interference due tospatial multiplexing differences of the radio environment.

MIMO order refers to a number of separate data streams sent or received.For instance, a MIMO order for downlink communications can be describedby a number of transmit antennas of a base station and a number ofreceive antennas for user equipment (UE), such as a mobile device. Forexample, two-by-two (2×2) RX MIMO (also referred to herein as secondorder receive MIMO) refers to MIMO downlink communications using twobase station antennas and two UE antennas. Additionally, four-by-four(4×4) RX MIMO (also referred to herein as fourth order receive MIMO)refers to MIMO downlink communications using four base station antennasand four UE antennas.

RFFE systems that support carrier aggregation and multi-order MIMO canbe used in RF devices that operate with wide bandwidth. For example,such RFFE systems can be used in applications servicing multimediacontent streaming at high data rates.

Apparatus and methods for RFFE systems are provided herein. In certainimplementations, an RFFE system includes a first transmit and receivemodule that transmits and receives high band (HB) signals from a firstantenna and receives mid band (MB) signals from the first antenna, and asecond transmit and receive module that transmits and receives MBsignals from a second antenna and receives HB signals from the secondantenna. Accordingly, the first transmit and receive module operates asan HB TX/RX+MB RX module that provides HB transmit and receivefunctionality and MB receive functionality, and the second transmit andreceive module operates as an MB TX/RX+HB RX module that provides MBtransmit and receive functionality and HB receive functionality.

Implementing the RFFE system in this manner can provide a number ofadvantages. For example, certain types of carrier aggregation can beprovided without needing to activate both the HB TX/RX+MB RX module andthe MB TX/RX+HB RX module. In one example, when transmitting on Band 1and performing downlink carrier aggregation using Band 1 and Band 7, theMB TX/RX+HB RX module can support such communications without needing toactivate the HB TX/RX+MB RX module. In another example, whentransmitting on Band 7 and performing downlink carrier aggregation usingBand 7 and Band 1, the HB TX/RX+MB RX module can support suchcommunications without needing to activate the MB TX/RX+HB RX module.Accordingly, carrier aggregation can be realized with relatively lowpower.

In certain implementations, the HB TX/RX+MB RX module is connected tothe first antenna without an intervening multiband handling element,such as a diplexer or triplexer. In some embodiments, a multibandhandling element is referred to (including herein) as a frequencymultiplexer. Additionally, the MB TX/RX+HB RX module is connected to asecond antenna through a diplexer that provides shared access of thesecond antenna to a low band (LB) module.

By implementing the RFFE system in this manner, excellent performancecan be obtained when transmitting and receiving HB signals, includingwhen using HB+MB carrier aggregation and a HB primary communicationcarrier (PCC). Additionally, MB and LB performance is superior relativeto an implementation using a triplexer, which exhibits more lossrelative to a diplexer. Accordingly, certain embodiments herein haverelatively low insertion loss in transmit and/or receive paths, which inturn enhances performance.

The RFFE systems herein can also exhibit excellent performance whencarrier aggregation and/or MIMO functionality is disabled. For instance,receive filters associated with downlink carrier aggregation and/or MIMOcan be switch combined such that they are not present in a signal pathwhen operating using a single frequency carrier. Accordingly, certainembodiments herein not only can be used to provide an RF device withhigh performance carrier aggregation and 4×4 RX MIMO, but also robustsingle carrier performance when the RF device operates with carrieraggregation and MIMO features disabled.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of one example of a wireless ormobile device 11. The mobile device 11 can include an RFFE systemimplementing one or more features of the present disclosure.

The example mobile device 11 depicted in FIG. 1 can represent a multiband and/or multi-mode device such as a multi-band/multi-mode mobilephone. By way of examples, Global System for Mobile (GSM) communicationstandard is a mode of digital cellular communication that is utilized inmany parts of the world. GSM mode mobile phones can operate at one ormore of four frequency bands: 850 MHz (approximately 824 849 MHz for Tx,869-894 MHz for Rx), 900 MHz (approximately 880-915 MHz for Tx, 925-960MHz for Rx), 1800 MHz (approximately 1710-1785 MHz for Tx, 1805-1880 MHzfor Rx), and 1900 MHz (approximately 1850-1910 MHz for Tx, 1930-1990 MHzfor Rx). Variations and/or regional/national implementations of the GSMbands are also utilized in different parts of the world.

Code division multiple access (CDMA) is another standard that can beimplemented in mobile phone devices. In certain implementations, CDMAdevices can operate in one or more of 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and1900 MHz bands, while certain W-CDMA and Long Term Evolution (LTE)devices can operate over, for example, 22 or more radio frequencyspectrum bands.

Transmit and receive modules of the present disclosure can be usedwithin a mobile device implementing the foregoing example modes and/orbands, and in other communication standards. For example, 3G, 4G, LTE,and Advanced LTE are non-limiting examples of such standards.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile device 11 includes an RFFEsystem 12, a transceiver 13, primary antennas 14, a control component18, a computer readable medium 19, a processor 20, a battery 21, anddiversity antennas 23.

The transceiver 13 can generate RF signals for transmission via theprimary antennas 14 and/or the diversity antennas 23. Furthermore, thetransceiver 13 can receive incoming RF signals from the primary antennas14 and/or the diversity antennas 23. It will be understood that variousfunctionalities associated with transmitting and receiving of RF signalscan be achieved by one or more components that are collectivelyrepresented in FIG. 1 as the transceiver 13. For example, a singlecomponent can be configured to provide both transmitting and receivingfunctionalities. In another example, transmitting and receivingfunctionalities can be provided by separate components.

In FIG. 1, one or more output signals from the transceiver 13 aredepicted as being provided to the RFFE system 12 via one or moretransmission paths 15. In the example shown, different transmissionpaths 15 can represent output paths associated with different bandsand/or different power outputs. For instance, the two different pathsshown can represent paths associated with different power outputs (e.g.,low power output and high power output), and/or paths associated withdifferent bands. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration using twotransmission paths 15, the mobile device 11 can be adapted to includemore or fewer transmission paths 15.

In FIG. 1, one or more receive signals are depicted as being providedfrom the RFFE system 12 to the transceiver 13 via one or more receivingpaths 16. In the example shown, different receiving paths 16 canrepresent paths associated with different bands. For example, the fourexample paths 16 shown can represent quad band capability that somemobile devices are provided with. Although FIG. 1 illustrates aconfiguration using four receiving paths 16, the mobile device 11 can beadapted to include more or fewer receiving paths 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the RFFE system 12 controls communications betweenthe transceiver 13 and the device's primary antennas 14 and diversityantennas 23. The RFFE system 12 can provide a number of functionalitiesassociated with, for example, MIMO communications, switching betweendifferent bands, carrier aggregation, switching between different powermodes, filtering of signals, duplexing of signals, and/or somecombination thereof.

The illustrated control component 18 can be provided for controllingvarious control functionalities associated with operations of the RFFEsystem 12 and/or other operating component(s). For example, the controlcomponent 18 can provide control signals to the RRFE 12 to controlelectrical connectivity to the primary antennas 14 and/or diversityantennas 23, for instance, by setting states of switches.

In certain embodiments, the processor 20 can be configured to facilitateimplementation of various processes on the mobile device 11. Theprocessor 20 can be a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus. In certainimplementations, the mobile device 11 can include a computer readablememory 19, which can include computer program instructions that may beprovided to and executed by the processor 20.

The battery 21 can be any suitable battery for use in the mobile device11, including, for example, a lithium-ion battery.

The illustrated mobile device 11 includes the diversity antennas 23,which can help improve the quality and reliability of a wireless linkrelative to a configuration in which a mobile device only includesprimary antennas. For example, including the diversity antennas 23 canreduce line of sight losses and/or mitigate the impacts of phase shifts,time delays, and/or distortions associated with signal interference ofthe primary antennas 14. Thus, the transceiver 13 processes the signalsreceived by the primary antennas 14 and diversity antennas 23 to obtaina receive signal of higher energy and/or improved fidelity relative to aconfiguration using only primary antennas.

The RFFE system 12 of FIG. 1 can be implemented in accordance with oneor more features of the present disclosure. Although the wireless device11 illustrates one example of an RF device that can include an RFFEsystem implemented in accordance with the present disclosure, theteachings herein are applicable to a wide variety of RF devices.Accordingly, RFFE systems can be used in other implementations of RFdevices.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an RF system or device 50according to one embodiment. The RF system 50 includes first antenna 31,a second antenna 32, a transceiver 33, and an RFFE system 34. The RFFEsystem 34 includes an HB TX/RX+MB RX module 41, an MB TX/RX+HB RX module42, and an LB TX/RX module 43, and a diplexer 44.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of an RF system implementedin accordance with the teachings herein, other implementations arepossible, including, but not limited to, implementations includingadditional antennas, modules, and/or other circuitry.

The illustrated RF system 50 is used to transmit and receive signals ofa wide variety of frequency bands, including LB, MB, and HB signals. Forexample, the RF system 50 can process one or more LB signals having afrequency of 1 GHz or less, one or more MB signals having a frequencybetween 1 GHz and 2.3 GHz, and one or more HB signals having a frequencygreater than 2.3 GHz. Examples of LB frequencies include, but are notlimited to Band 8, Band 20, and Band 26. Examples of MB frequenciesinclude, but are not limited to, Band 1, Band 3, and Band 4. Examples ofHB frequencies include, but are not limited to, Band 7, Band 38, andBand 41.

In the illustrated embodiment, the HB TX/RX+MB RX module 41 iselectrically coupled to the first antenna 31, which is implemented tohandle MB and HB signals. The HB TX/RX+MB RX module 41 is furthercoupled to the transceiver 33 via RF signal routes or paths.Additionally, the HB TX/RX+MB RX module 41 provides both HB transmit andreceive functionality and MB receive functionality.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MB TX/RX+HB RX module 42 is electrically coupledto the second antenna 32, which is implemented to handle LB, MB, and HBsignals. The MB TX/RX+HB RX module 42 is further coupled to thetransceiver 33 via various RF signal routes. Additionally, the MBTX/RX+HB RX module 42 provides both MB transmit and receivefunctionality and HB receive functionality.

The RFFE system 34 can provide certain types of carrier aggregationwithout needing to activate both the HB TX/RX+MB RX module 41 and the MBTX/RX+HB RX module 42. For instance, when the RF system 50 operatesusing Band 1 or another MB as a primary communication carrier (PCC), theRF system 50 can transmit and receive Band 1 signals using the MBTX/RX+HB RX module 42. Additionally, the RFFE system 34 can providedownlink carrier aggregation using Band 7 or another HB without needingto activate the HB TX/RX+MB RX module 41. Accordingly, certain types ofcarrier aggregation can be realized with relatively low power.

In the illustrated embodiment, the HB TX/RX+MB RX module 41 is connectedto the first antenna 31 without an intervening frequency multiplexer,such as a diplexer or triplexer. By implementing the RF system 50 inthis manner, excellent performance can be obtained when transmitting andreceiving HB signals, including when using HB+MB carrier aggregation.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MB TX/RX+HB RX module 42 and the LB TX/RX module43 are electrically coupled to the second antenna 32 via the diplexer44. Since a diplexer is lower loss relative to a triplexer, the RFsystem 50 of FIG. 2 exhibits superior MB and LB performance relative toan implementation using a triplexer.

The illustrated RF system 50 supports downlink MIMO for both HB and MB.Although the RF system 50 of FIG. 2 includes two antennas for receivingHB and MB signals, the RF system 50 can be adapted to include additionalantennas to provide MIMO of higher order. In one example, diversityantennas and modules are included to support 4×4 RX MIMO for MB and HBsignals.

Accordingly, the RF system 50 of FIG. 2 supports carrier aggregation andMIMO functionality.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of an RFFE system120. The RFFE system 120 includes an HB TX/RX+MB RX module 51, an MBTX/RX+HB RX module 52, an LB TX/RX module 43, and a diplexer 44.

The HB TX/RX+MB RX module 51 includes an antenna switch 60, a first HBduplexer 61, a second HB duplexer 62, a first MB filter 63, a second MBfilter 64, a first HB power amplifier (PA) 71, a second HB PA 72, afirst HB low noise amplifier (LNA) 81, a second HB LNA 82, a first MBLNA 83, and a second MB LNA 84. The antenna switch 60 can be used tocouple the first antenna terminal ANT1 to one or more of filters and/orduplexers of the HB TX/RX+MB RX module 51.

The MB TX/RX+HB RX module 52 includes an antenna switch 90, a first MBduplexer 91, a second MB duplexer 92, a first HB filter 93, a second HBfilter 94, a first MB PA 101, a second MB PA 102, a first MB LNA 111, asecond MB LNA 112, a first HB LNA 113, and a fourth HB LNA 114. Theantenna switch 90 can be used to couple the second antenna terminal ANT2to one or more of filters and/or duplexers of MB TX/RX+HB RX module 52.

Although specific implementations of HB and MB processing circuitry areshown, the teachings herein are applicable to HB and MB processingcircuitry implemented in a wide variety of ways. Accordingly, otherimplementations are possible.

In the illustrated embodiment, the HB TX/RX+MB RX module 51 receives afirst HB transmit signal HwTX and a second HB transmit signal HxTX, andgenerates a first HB receive signal HwRX, a second HB receive signalHxRX, a first MB receive signal MyRX, and a second MB receive signalMzRX. Additionally, the MB TX/RX+HB RX module 52 receives a first MBtransmit signal MyTX and a second MB transmit signal MzTX, and generatesa first HB receive signal HwRX, a second HB receive signal HxRX, a firstMB receive signal MyRX, and a second MB receive signal MzRX.

Although one example, of transmit and receive modules is shown, otherimplementations are possible, including, for example, implementations inwhich the modules generate more or fewer transmit and/or receive signalsand/or signals of other bands. For example, more or fewer HB and/or MBsignal paths can be included to provide support for a desired number offrequency bands.

For clarity of the figures, signals generated and received by the LBTX/RX module 43 have been omitted. Additionally, control signals (forinstance, switch state control signals and amplifier control signals,such as enable signals) have been omitted from FIG. 3 for clarity.

The illustrated RFFE system 120 supports carrier aggregation and MIMOfunctionality.

For example, the HB TX/RX+MB RX module 51 supports downlink carrieraggregation using a primary component carrier (PCC) HB and secondarycomponent carrier (SCC) MB. For instance, the antenna switch 60 can beused to switch combine a desired HB duplexer and MB filter.Additionally, the MB TX/RX+HB RX module 52 supports downlink carrieraggregation using PCC MB and SCC HB. For instance, the antenna switch 90can be used to switch combine a desired MB duplexer and HB filter.

Switch combining the duplexers and filters can enhance performance whenusing a single frequency carrier. For example, when carrier aggregationfunctionality is disabled, the unused components can be removed from theactive signal path, thereby reducing path loss.

The RFFE system 120 of FIG. 3 also supports high order downlink MIMOwhile providing flexibility in choice for the PCC that is used fortransmissions.

In a first example, both MB MIMO and transmission using PCC MB isprovided by using a desired MB duplexer of module 52 and a desired MBfilter of module 51.

In a second example, both HB MIMO and transmission using PCC MB isprovided by using a desired MB duplexer of module 52, a desired HBfilter of module 52, and a desired HB duplexer of module 51.

In a third example, both MB MIMO and transmission using PCC HB isprovided by using a desired HB duplexer of module 51, a desired MBfilter of module 51, and a desired MB duplexer of module 52.

In a fourth example, both HB MIMO and transmission using PCC HB isprovided by using a desired HB duplexer of module 51 and a desired HBfilter of the module 52.

Accordingly, the illustrated RFFE system 120 exhibits a high amount offlexibility for carrier aggregation and MIMO support. Additionally, thereceive filters can be switched combined when downlink carrieraggregation and MIMO functionality is needed, thereby providing robustsingle carrier transmit and receive performance.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an RF system 170 according toanother embodiment. The RF system 170 includes a first primary antenna121, a second primary antenna 122, a first diversity antenna 123, asecond diversity antenna 124, a transceiver 133, and an RFFE system 134.The RFFE system 134 includes an HB TX/RX+MB RX module 41, an MB TX/RX+HBRX module 42, an LB TX/RX module 43, a diplexer 44, an HB DRX+MB DRXdiversity module 151, an MB DRX+HB DRX diversity module 152, an LB DRXdiversity module 153, a diversity diplexer 154, and cross-UE cables161-166.

The RF system 170 of FIG. 4 is similar to the RF system 50 of FIG. 2,except that the RF system 170 further includes circuitry and antennasfor diversity communications.

For example, the HB DRX+MB DRX diversity module 151 is used forreceiving HB diversity receive signals and/or MB diversity receivesignals from the first diversity antenna 123. Additionally, the MBDRX+HB DRX diversity module 152 is used for receiving MB diversityreceive signals and/or HB diversity receive signals from the seconddiversity antenna 124 via the diversity diplexer 154. Furthermore, theLB DRX diversity module 153 is used for receive LB diversity receivesignals from the second diversity antenna 124 via the diversity diplexer154.

The illustrated diversity modules 151-153 are connected to thetransceiver 133 via the cross-UE cables 161-166. To reduce thecorrelation between received signals, the primary antennas 121-122 andthe diversity antennas 123-124 can be separated by a relatively largephysical distance in the RF system 170. For example, the diversityantennas 123-124 can be positioned near the top of the device and theprimary antennas 121-122 can be positioned near the bottom of the deviceor vice-versa. Additionally, the transceiver 133 can be positioned nearthe primary antennas 121-122 and modules 141-143 to enhance performanceof primary communications.

Accordingly, in certain implementations, the diversity modules 151-153are relatively far from the transceiver 133, and the cross-UE cables161-166 are used to provide received diversity signals to thetransceiver 133.

In the illustrated embodiment, the HB DRX+MB DRX diversity module 151provides MB diversity receive signals MyDRX and MzDRX to the MB DRX+HBDRX diversity module 152, which controls which MB diversity receivesignals are provided to the transceiver 133 via the cross-UE cables163-164. Additionally, the MB DRX+HB DRX module 152 provides HBdiversity receive signals HwDRX and HxDRX to the HB DRX+MB DRX module151, which controls which HB diversity receive signals are provided tothe transceiver 133 via the cross-UE cables 161-162.

By implementing the diversity modules in this manner, a number ofcross-UE cables can be reduced relative to a configuration using adedicated cross-UE cable per diversity receive signal. Thus, routingcongestion and/or a number of RF signal routes between the diversitymodules 151-153 and the transceiver 133 can be reduced.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of diversitymodules for an RFFE system. The illustrated embodiment includes an HBDRX+MB DRX diversity module 201, an MB DRX+HB DRX diversity module 202,an LB DRX diversity module 153, and a diversity diplexer 154.

The HB DRX+MB DRX diversity module 201 includes an antenna switch 210, afirst HB filter 211, a second HB filter 212, a first MB filter 213, asecond MB filter 214, a first HB LNA 221, a second HB LNA 222, a firstMB LNA 223, a second MB LNA 224, and an HB output switch 230.Additionally, the MB DRX+HB DRX diversity module 202 includes an antennaswitch 240, a first MB filter 241, a second MB filter 242, a first HBfilter 243, a second HB filter 244, a first MB LNA 251, a second MB LNA252, a first HB LNA 253, a second HB LNA 254, and an MB output switch260.

The HB DRX+MB DRX diversity module 201 includes the antenna switch 210,which is electrically coupled to the first diversity antenna terminalD_ANT1. The state of the antenna switch 210 can be controlled to couplethe first diversity antenna terminal D_ANT1 to one or more of thefilters of the diversity module 201.

The HB DRX+MB DRX diversity module 201 generates a variety of HB and MBdiversity receive signals, including HB diversity receive signals HwDRX1and HxDRX1 and MB diversity receive signals MyDRX1 and MzDRX1. As shownin FIG. 5, the MB diversity receive signals MyDRX1 and MzDRX1 areprovided from the diversity module 201 to the MB output switch 260 ofthe diversity module 202. The MB output switch 260 in turn controlswhich MB diversity receive signals are provided on the MB diversityreceive terminals MBDRX1 and MBDRX2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the MB DRX+HB DRX diversity module 202includes the antenna switch 240, which is electrically coupled to thesecond diversity antenna terminal D_ANT2 via the diversity diplexer 154.The state of the antenna switch 240 can be controlled to couple thesecond diversity antenna terminal D_ANT2 to one or more filters of thediversity module 202.

The MB DRX+HB DRX diversity module 202 generates a variety of MB and HBdiversity receive signals, including MB diversity receive signals MyDRX2and MzDRX2 and HB diversity receive signals HwDRX2 and HxDRX2. As shownin FIG. 5, the HB diversity receive signals HwDRX2 and HxDRX2 areprovided from the diversity module 202 to the HB output switch 230 ofthe diversity module 201. The HB output switch 230 in turn controlswhich HB diversity receive signals are provided on the HB diversityreceive terminals HBDRX1 and HBDRX2.

The LB DRX diversity module 153 is electrically coupled to the seconddiversity antenna terminal D_ANT2 via the diversity diplexer 154. The LBDRX diversity module 153 provides LB diversity receive signals on LBdiversity receive terminals LBDRX1 and LBDRX2.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an LB diversity module 400according to one embodiment. The LB diversity module 400 includes an LBantenna switch 410, a first LB filter 411, a second LB filter 412, athird LB filter 413, a fourth LB filter 414, a first LB LNA 421, asecond LB LNA 422, a third LB LNA 423, a fourth LB LNA 424, and a LBoutput switch 430.

The antenna switch 410 is used to electrically couple the diversityantenna terminal D_ANT to one or more of the LB filters. Additionally,the illustrated LB diversity module 400 generates LB diversity receivesignals LaDRX, LbDRX, LcDRX, and LdDRX, which are provided to the LBoutput switch 430. The LB output switch 430 selects which LB diversityreceive signals to provide to the first diversity receive terminalLBDRX1 and to the second diversity receive terminal LBDRX2.

Although one example of an LB diversity module is shown in FIG. 6, otherimplementations of diversity modules can be used. For example, more orfewer LB filters can be provided to support a desired number offrequency bands.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a packaged module800. FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of the packagedmodule 800 of FIG. 7A taken along the lines 7B-7B.

The packaged module 800 includes a semiconductor die 801, surface mountcomponents 803, wirebonds 808, a package substrate 820, andencapsulation structure 840. The package substrate 820 includes pads 806formed from conductors disposed therein. Additionally, the semiconductordie 801 includes pins or pads 804, and the wirebonds 808 have been usedto connect the pads 804 of the die 801 to the pads 806 of the packagesubstrate 801.

The RFFE systems herein can include one or more packaged modules, suchas the packaged module 800. Although the packaged module 800 of FIGS.7A-7B illustrates one example implementation of a module suitable foruse in an RFFE system, the teachings herein are applicable to modulesimplemented in other ways.

The packaging substrate 820 can be configured to receive a plurality ofcomponents such as the semiconductor die 801 and the surface mountcomponents 803, which can include, for example, surface mount capacitorsand/or inductors.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the packaged module 800 is shown to include aplurality of contact pads 832 disposed on the side of the packagedmodule 800 opposite the side used to mount the semiconductor die 801.Configuring the packaged module 800 in this manner can aid in connectingthe packaged module 800 to a circuit board, such as a phone board of awireless device. The example contact pads 832 can be configured toprovide radio frequency signals, bias signals, and/or power (forexample, a power supply voltage and ground) to the semiconductor die 801and/or the surface mount components 803. As shown in FIG. 7B, theelectrical connections between the contact pads 832 and thesemiconductor die 801 can be facilitated by connections 833 through thepackage substrate 820. The connections 833 can represent electricalpaths formed through the package substrate 820, such as connectionsassociated with vias and conductors of a multilayer laminated packagesubstrate.

In some embodiments, the packaged module 800 can also include one ormore packaging structures to, for example, provide protection and/orfacilitate handling. Such a packaging structure can include overmold orencapsulation structure 840 formed over the packaging substrate 820 andthe components and die(s) disposed thereon.

It will be understood that although the packaged module 800 is describedin the context of electrical connections based on wirebonds, one or morefeatures of the present disclosure can also be implemented in otherpackaging configurations, including, for example, flip chipconfigurations.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method 900 of front end signal processing,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In someimplementations, the method 900 includes providing a high band transmitsignal to a first antenna using a first transmit and receive module, asrepresented by block 902, and receiving a first high band receive signaland a first mid band receive signal from the first antenna using thefirst transmit and receive module as represented by block 904. In someimplementations, the first high band receive signal has a frequencycontent that is greater than a frequency content of the first mid bandreceive signal. In some implementations, the first high band receivesignal has a frequency range that is greater than a frequency range ofthe first mid band receive signal. The method 900 further includesproviding a mid band transmit signal to a second antenna using a secondtransmit and receive module, as represented by block 906, and receivinga second mid band receive signal and a second high band receive signalfrom the second antenna using the second transmit and receive module, asrepresented by block 908. In some implementations, the second high bandreceive signal has a frequency content that is greater than a frequencycontent of the second mid band receive signal. In some implementations,the second high band receive signal has a frequency range that isgreater than a frequency range of the second mid band receive signal.

Applications

Some of the embodiments described above have provided examples inconnection with mobile devices. However, the principles and advantagesof the embodiments can be used for any other systems or apparatus thathave needs for RFFE systems.

Such RFFE systems can be implemented in various electronic devices.Examples of the electronic devices can include, but are not limited to,consumer electronic products, parts of the consumer electronic products,electronic test equipment, etc. Examples of the electronic devices canalso include, but are not limited to, memory chips, memory modules,circuits of optical networks or other communication networks, and diskdriver circuits. The consumer electronic products can include, but arenot limited to, a mobile phone, a telephone, a television, a computermonitor, a computer, a hand-held computer, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a microwave, a refrigerator, an automobile, a stereo system, acassette recorder or player, a DVD player, a CD player, a VCR, an MP3player, a radio, a camcorder, a camera, a digital camera, a portablememory chip, a washer, a dryer, a washer/dryer, a copier, a facsimilemachine, a scanner, a multi-functional peripheral device, a wrist watch,a clock, etc. Further, the electronic devices can include unfinishedproducts.

Conclusion

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” The word “coupled”, as generally usedherein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directlyconnected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements.Likewise, the word “connected”, as generally used herein, refers to twoor more elements that may be either directly connected, or connected byway of one or more intermediate elements. Additionally, the words“herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used inthis application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not toany particular portions of this application. Where the context permits,words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or pluralnumber may also include the plural or singular number respectively. Theword “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word coversall of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items inthe list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the itemsin the list.

Moreover, conditional language used herein, such as, among others,“can,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “e.g.,” “for example,” “such as” and thelike, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or withoutauthor input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/orstates are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, whileprocesses or blocks are presented in a given order, alternativeembodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems havingblocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may bedeleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each ofthese processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of differentways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as beingperformed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performedin parallel, or may be performed at different times.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in theform of the methods and systems described herein may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims andtheir equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications aswould fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

The present disclosure describes various features, no single one ofwhich is solely responsible for the benefits described herein. It willbe understood that various features described herein may be combined,modified, or omitted, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill.Other combinations and sub-combinations than those specificallydescribed herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill, and areintended to form a part of this disclosure. Various methods aredescribed herein in connection with various flowchart steps and/orphases. It will be understood that in many cases, certain steps and/orphases may be combined together such that multiple steps and/or phasesshown in the flowcharts may be performed as a single step and/or phase.Also, certain steps and/or phases may be broken into additionalsub-components to be performed separately. In some instances, the orderof the steps and/or phases may be rearranged and certain steps and/orphases may be omitted entirely. Also, the methods described herein areto be understood to be open-ended, such that additional steps and/orphases to those shown and described herein may also be performed.

Although various embodiments and examples are disclosed above, inventivesubject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments toother alternative embodiments and/or uses and to modifications andequivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims that may arise fromthis disclosure is not limited by any of the particular embodimentsdescribed above. Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devicesdescribed herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separatecomponents. For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certainaspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Notnecessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by anyparticular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may becarried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage orgroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheraspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein.

Some aspects of the systems and methods described herein mayadvantageously be implemented using, for example, computer software,hardware, firmware, or any combination of computer software, hardware,and firmware. Computer software may comprise computer executable codestored in a computer readable medium (e.g., non-transitory computerreadable medium) that, when executed, performs the functions describedherein. In some embodiments, computer-executable code is executed by oneor more general purpose computer processors. A skilled artisan willappreciate, in light of this disclosure, that any feature or functionthat may be implemented using software to be executed on a generalpurpose computer may also be implemented using a different combinationof hardware, software, or firmware. For example, such a module may beimplemented completely in hardware using a combination of integratedcircuits. Alternatively or additionally, such a feature or function maybe implemented completely or partially using specialized computersdesigned to perform the particular functions described herein ratherthan by general purpose computers.

Multiple distributed computing devices may be substituted for any onecomputing device described herein. In such distributed embodiments, thefunctions of the one computing device are distributed (e.g., over anetwork) such that some functions are performed on each of thedistributed computing devices.

Some embodiments may be described with reference to equations,algorithms, and/or flowchart illustrations. These methods may beimplemented using computer program instructions executable on one ormore computers. These methods may also be implemented as computerprogram products either separately, or as a component of an apparatus orsystem. In this regard, each equation, algorithm, block, or step of aflowchart, and combinations thereof, may be implemented by hardware,firmware, and/or software including one or more computer programinstructions embodied in computer-readable program code logic. As willbe appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loadedonto one or more computers, including without limitation a generalpurpose computer or special purpose computer, or other programmableprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the computerprogram instructions which execute on the computer(s) or otherprogrammable processing device(s) implement the functions specified inthe equations, algorithms, and/or flowcharts. It will also be understoodthat each equation, algorithm, and/or block in flowchart illustrations,and combinations thereof, may be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer-readableprogram code logic means.

Furthermore, computer program instructions, such as embodied incomputer-readable program code logic, may also be stored in a computerreadable memory (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable medium) thatmay direct one or more computers or other programmable processingdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructionsstored in the computer-readable memory implement the function(s)specified in the block(s) of the flowchart(s). The computer programinstructions may also be loaded onto one or more computers or otherprogrammable computing devices to cause a series of operational steps tobe performed on the one or more computers or other programmablecomputing devices to produce a computer-implemented process such thatthe instructions which execute on the computer or other programmableprocessing apparatus provide steps for implementing the functionsspecified in the equation(s), algorithm(s), and/or block(s) of theflowchart(s).

Some or all of the methods and tasks described herein may be performedand fully automated by a computer system. The computer system may, insome cases, include multiple distinct computers or computing devices(e.g., physical servers, workstations, storage arrays, etc.) thatcommunicate and interoperate over a network to perform the describedfunctions. Each such computing device typically includes a processor (ormultiple processors) that executes program instructions or modulesstored in a memory or other non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium or device. The various functions disclosed herein may be embodiedin such program instructions, although some or all of the disclosedfunctions may alternatively be implemented in application-specificcircuitry (e.g., ASICs or FPGAs) of the computer system. Where thecomputer system includes multiple computing devices, these devices may,but need not, be co-located. The results of the disclosed methods andtasks may be persistently stored by transforming physical storagedevices, such as solid state memory chips and/or magnetic disks, into adifferent state.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” The word “coupled”, as generally usedherein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directlyconnected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Wherethe context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using thesingular or plural number may also include the plural or singular numberrespectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items,that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: anyof the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and anycombination of the items in the list. The word “exemplary” is usedexclusively herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otherimplementations. Furthermore, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,”“fourth,” etc., as used herein are meant as labels to distinguish amongdifferent elements and may not necessarily have an ordinal meaningaccording to their numerical designation.

The disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementationsshown herein. Various modifications to the implementations described inthis disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, andthe generic principles defined herein may be applied to otherimplementations without departing from the spirit or scope of thisdisclosure. The teachings of the invention provided herein may beapplied to other methods and systems, and are not limited to the methodsand systems described above, and elements and acts of the variousembodiments described above may be combined to provide furtherembodiments. Accordingly, the novel methods and systems described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods andsystems described herein may be made without departing from the spiritof the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents areintended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within thescope and spirit of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless device comprising: a plurality ofprimary antennas including a first antenna and second antenna; atransceiver; and a radio frequency front end system electrically coupledbetween the transceiver and the plurality of primary antennas, the radiofrequency front end system including a first transmit and receive moduleoperable to provide a high band transmit signal to the first antenna andto receive a first high band receive signal and a first mid band receivesignal from the first antenna, the first high band receive signal havinga frequency content that is greater than a frequency content of thefirst mid band receive signal, the radio frequency front end systemfurther including a second transmit and receive module operable toprovide a mid band transmit signal to the second antenna and to receivea second mid band receive signal and a second high band receive signalfrom the second antenna, the second high band receive signal having afrequency content that is greater than a frequency content of the secondmid band receive signal.
 2. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein thefirst high band receive signal and the second high band receive signalare operable to support downlink multi-input and multi-outputcommunications.
 3. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the first midband receive signal and the second mid band receive signal are operableto support downlink multi-input and multi-output communications.
 4. Thewireless device of claim 1 wherein the first high band receive signaland the first mid band receive signal are operable to support carrieraggregation.
 5. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the second midband receive signal and the second high band receive signal are operableto support carrier aggregation.
 6. The wireless device of claim 1wherein the first transmit and receive module includes a first pluralityof high band signal paths and a first plurality of mid band signal pathsthat are switch coupled to the first antenna.
 7. The wireless device ofclaim 6 wherein the second transmit and receive module includes a secondplurality of high band signal paths and a second plurality of mid bandsignal paths that are switch coupled to the second antenna.
 8. Thewireless device of claim 1 wherein the first transmit and receive moduleis electrically coupled to the first antenna without an interveningfrequency multiplexer.
 9. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein theradio frequency front end system further includes a diplexerelectrically coupled between the second transmit and receive module andthe second antenna.
 10. The wireless device of claim 9 wherein the radiofrequency front end system further includes a third transmit and receivemodule electrically coupled to the second antenna via the diplexer, thethird transmit and receive module configured to provide a low bandtransmit signal to the second antenna and to receive a low band receivesignal from the second antenna.
 11. The wireless device of claim 1further comprising a plurality of diversity antennas including a firstdiversity antenna and a second diversity antenna, the radio frequencyfront end system electrically coupled between the transceiver and theplurality of diversity antennas.
 12. The wireless device of claim 11wherein the radio frequency front end system further includes a firstdiversity module configured to receive a first high band diversityreceive signal and a first mid band diversity receive signal from thefirst diversity antenna.
 13. The wireless device of claim 12 furthercomprising a second diversity module configured to receive a second midband diversity receive signal and a second high band receive signal fromthe second diversity antenna.
 14. The wireless device of claim 13wherein the first transmit and receive module includes a high bandoutput switch configured to receive a plurality of high band diversityreceive signals including the first high band diversity receive signaland the second high band diversity receive signal, the high band outputswitch further configured to provide the transceiver with a selectedhigh band diversity receive signal.
 15. The wireless device of claim 13wherein the second transmit and receive module includes a mid bandoutput switch configured to receive a plurality of mid band diversityreceive signals including the first mid band diversity receive signaland the second mid band diversity receive signal, the mid band outputswitch further configured to provide the transceiver with a selected midband diversity receive signal.
 16. The wireless device of claim 13wherein the radio frequency front end system is operable to supportfour-by-four receive multi-input and multi-output communications.
 17. Amethod of front end signal processing in a wireless device, the methodcomprising: providing a high band transmit signal to a first antennausing a first transmit and receive module; receiving a first high bandreceive signal and a first mid band receive signal from the firstantenna using the first transmit and receive module, the first high bandreceive signal having a frequency content that is greater than afrequency content of the first mid band receive signal; providing a midband transmit signal to a second antenna using a second transmit andreceive module; and receiving a second mid band receive signal and asecond high band receive signal from the second antenna using the secondtransmit and receive module, the second high band receive signal havinga frequency content that is greater than a frequency content of thesecond mid band receive signal.
 18. A radio frequency front end systemfor a wireless device, the radio frequency front end system comprising:a first antenna terminal; a first transmit and receive moduleelectrically coupled to the first antenna terminal, the first transmitand receive module operable to provide a high band transmit signal tothe first antenna terminal and to receive a first high band receivesignal and a first mid band receive signal from the first antennaterminal, the first high band receive signal having a frequency contentthat is greater than a frequency content of the first mid band receivesignal; a second antenna terminal; and a second transmit and receivemodule electrically coupled to the second antenna terminal, the secondtransmit and receive module operable to provide a mid band transmitsignal to the second antenna terminal and to receive a second mid bandreceive signal and a second high band receive signal from the secondantenna terminal, the second high band receive signal having a frequencycontent that is greater than a frequency content of the second mid bandreceive signal.
 19. The radio frequency front end system of claim 18wherein the first high band receive signal and the second high bandreceive signal are operable to support downlink multi-input andmulti-output communications.
 20. The radio frequency front end system ofclaim 18 wherein the first mid band receive signal and the second midband receive signal are operable to support downlink multi-input andmulti-output communications.